Getting enough sleep is vital for everyone and plays an important role in living a long, happy and healthy life.

Sleep deprivation can lead to many illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, depression and cancer. Increased level of stress hormones in your blood might cause a stroke or a heart attack. Lack of sleep can negatively affect your mood and learning skills and make you feel very tired, thus making you more likely to get into accidents.

Most people need seven to nine hours of sleep per night but your personal needs might be different. If you wake up alert and feel rested most of the day, you're getting enough. If you feel constantly tired and cranky, it might be because you're not sleeping enough.

Try creating a regular sleeping schedule (going to bed and waking up at the same time every day) that, along with relaxing bed-time routine (certain steps you go through every night). Try not to deviate from your schedule during weekends or holidays. Other ways of improving your sleep include cutting down on late-night entertainment (TV, computer), not working late, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and heavy/spicy food too close to bed-time and making your bedroom a comfortable place for sleeping - many people prefer cool, quiet and dark. If changing your sleeping habits doesn't improve your sleep quality, you might want to discuss your sleep problems with your doctor. Some medications might keep you awake, so don't forget to mention him/her about those.